New family visit visa details announced June 2010 for foreigners and overseas Chinese with family in China. Special benefits for those over 60

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Visa's

New Family Visit Visa (August 2012)

The Chinese Ministry of Public
Security has finally made changes to its policy concerning
foreigners with family in China, and now offers a new
'Family Visit Visa' for those who meet specific criteria
- which is intrinsically related to having family in
China. This new visa can be either Tourist (L) or Residency
(D) = But you begin with 'L'.

At first we were informed this was a new type of residency
visa, but this is not quite the case. This is a special
type of tourist visa or residency visa that can only
be issued to people with immediate family living in
China.

Latest Information (4th September 2010)

Yesterday I collected my new Family Visit
visa, which is an 'L' or Tourist visa. It lasts
for 6-months, has multiple entries, and most importantly,
has no restrictions on length of stay - other
than the full 6-months.

Collection only took a couple of minutes. I handed
over my official receipt, the girl found it and
I was asked to sign for it. Simple.

The first application for a Family Visit visa
is for a 6-month one as an 'L' or Tourist visa
as shown. I have been informed by the PSB that
next time I can apply for a 1-year Family Visit
Visa, which will be a 'D' or Residency visa. This
can be very important for long term visitors!

Contrast this with my previous visa, of which
foreigners will pay Y2, 000 for either: a 3-month
Tourist double entry visa with 30-day maximum
stay; or a 3-month Tourist single entry visa with
90 maximum stay.

China Expats Director Jonno has now become the proud possessor of a 1-year Chinese Residency or 'D' visa - so know the system work!

Important Points:

1. Your address in China is that as given in your Chinese
family's 'Family Registration Book' (Unless you have
your own?)A Hukou (simplified Chinese: 户口; traditional
Chinese: 戶口; pinyin: hùkǒu) or huji (simplified Chinese:
户籍; traditional Chinese: 戶籍; pinyin: hùjí) refers to
the system of residency permits which dates back to
ancient China, where household registration is required
by law in People's Republic of China and Republic of
China (Taiwan).

2. First application is always for a 'new visa', and
this is an 'L' or Tourist visa; 6-months, continual
stay, multi-entry. Cost: less than Y1K or 1, 000 RMB.
a. Second visa is classed as an
'extension', and can be for 6 or 12 months.
i. Any visa over
6-months duration requires a Medical Exam
(Certificate
of Health Examination for International Traveller).
b. If you are over 60 years old,
then subsequent visa's can be for 2-years (Conditions
apply).
i. We are assured there is a similar dispensation for
'minors' holding foreign nationality, but with one or
both parents being Chinese Nationals.
c. Please get your mind right.
These new rules are primarily to assist ABC's, BBC's,
TBC's; etc. You may also note that Taiwan has been in
the travellers' news recently. Therefore, please respect
this offer if it applies to you and your own family
- as it opens previously closed doors for a few Western
Expats.

3. 1 year visa's and over are classed as 'Residency'
visa's = "D visa"!

4. In Jiangmen City, your first 'Family Visa' will take
3-weeks to process, require every supporting form or
Certificate that you possess, and everything requires
photocopying. Your sponsor (Wife etc) needs to be physically
there with you! If you have a child that is Chinese
by Nationality - then they need to be there also + their
Birth Certificate; et al.
a. Having a blood-child with Chinese
Nationality greatly enhances your bona fides b. For Chinese with
other nationality: having your parent present (Direct
blood relative and Chinese National Citizen) is also
'a must!'
c. In Jiangmen subsequent applications
are classed as 'extensions', and will be processed in
1-week.

Sure, this stuff is a bit complex, but very easy once
you accept this is a special dispensation by Beijing.
Most Expats who have chosen to live in China + raise
a family, will tell you the chance of a 'D' visa is
like finding Ambrosia on a dusty, arid plain!

Details as follows:

How
to Apply!

Updated 14th August 2010

Where issued

The main city PSB for your
greater area. Local PSB, the ones who issue
your Certificate of Temporary Residency
(CTR), will tell you where to get information.

What you need

1. Your passport (With current visa and
Certificate of Temporary Residency)
2. Marriage Certificate or Birth Certificate
if child of Chinese sponsor.
3. Your spouses Chinese Identity Card
4. If your child is born in China, [or not born in China]: you can use their Chinese Identity Card.
5. Family Book
6. Registration form (From same PSB as CTR) and also available at place of application.
7. Very recent photographs with receipt. Must be to specified standard and less than 1-month old!
8. The fee (Expect change from 1, 000 RMB).

1. For 60 year old and over.
2. May also apply to children of Chinese
nationals who have a child with foreign
passport?
3. As top plus:
4. Health check done at specified centre
at your own expense.

This is for a 2 year multi-entry
Residence visa.

How long
does it take?

How long is a piece of string?
This varies greatly with location, but expect
this to take between a few days and several
months. Several weeks is normal.

How does the visa renewal process work?

In August 2012 I got a new 1-year Family Visit Visa from the Public Security Bureau in Jiang Men City, Guangdong. The requirements in your main city may vary slightly. I will begin this story on 1st August for ease of tracking. This was
the first time I did everything on my own:

Official Photographs:

1st August, I went down to my local photograph shop and had my picture taken. You need to ensure they know this is for a visa renewal, as there are many different types and formats of Official Chinese photographs. Even though this was my
first time in the shop, everything was settled quickly, as I had brought along the remains of last years photos. The whole thing was conducted entirely in Cantonese, and took a couple of minutes.

Chinese Medical Examination

2nd August, I collected the photographs at 8A.M., and caught the coach to Gongmuen (Jiang Men) City. There is only one approved Hospital in each City/County district, so you need to be at the right one. In Gongmuen the building is dedicated
solely to processing medical examinations, mainly for Chinese citizens who require a medical for work purposes. I have never seen another foreigner there yet, although the staff do speak English.

The point of the examination is to determine whether you pose a health risk to China. They are looking for dangerous diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and psychological disorders. However, you do get a full medical check in
the process.

Documents required: 4 x official photographs, passport. If you have a previous booklet from an earlier examination, take it with you, because you are in The System - Makes things much easier for everyone. Fee: Y325 RMB. Fill in the form
they give you, and give them a slip of paper with your address and spouses contact details on it, and they will fill in the Chinese characters for you.

There are about 8 main processes, that include many other tests. You will be taking your shoes off and on for most of these, so this year I brought along some flip-flops. Very easy.This was all conducted in Cantonese, except for the Bloodwork
where the lady only spoke Mandarin. We got by in Chinglish. Oh, and one of the other Doctors was very bright and chatty, so we practiced her English, which was excellent.The whole thing took about 20-minutes.

When done, I took all my paperwork down to reception where we had some fun with my Cantonese. I was told the results would be ready at 5 P.M. (5.30 close), the next day, or available from the next morning.

Family Book

4th August. Every Chinese person is officially registered in the Family Book. This is normally held by the most senior male of the family, and is handed down to the next upon death (Usually death of the generation). My wife's Family Book
is technically held by her father's elder brother. Perhaps because of me, it is usually found in the safekeeping of her mother.

I needed it, and my wife was working, so I went to get it myself. I had presumed they would have spoken about this on the phone, but apparently not. However, Siu Ying (My wife), had written down what I needed, and it was duly given to me.

Visa renewal

5th August; I returned to the Medical Centre and received my new Chinese Medical booklet upon production of receipt. They also included 2 x full medical reports, with picture. Time taken: 1-minute.

I arrived at the PSB visa place and we had a comedy of errors, that I will write about later today in one of my missives. So that I know what I need next time, here is a list:
1. Photocopy of the page of the Family Book showing my wife's details.
2. Photocopy of the main page of my wife's marriage booklet (We get one each).
3. Photocopy of my wife's Identity Card, or your immediate sponsor.
4. A photocopy of every page of the new Health certificate (4 pages).
5. Passport: Photocopies of: My details page, My existing visa page, AND a copy of the page that shows my last 'new visa' entry to China.

Let me explain the last one in detail. The last time I entered China was November 2011, after a holiday in Thailand. This does not count. What they want is the copy of the stamp for the first entry of the last visa you obtained outside
of China Mainland, in my case: Hong Kong. For the third time running they have chosen 10th October 2008, although I know it was the middle of November 2010.I cannot find the stamp, although some are unreadable. As long as the PSB are happy,
then so am I.

Visa Processing

I collected a form for a new visa application from a dedicated desk set to one side of the main hall. It is in both Chinese and English, and I filled in as much as I could on my own. I got the photocopies done at the shop just outside the
complex, and also attached a photograph - the only one I needed.

Once everything was in order, I went back to the girl and she checked the form, filling in our Chinese address and my wife's name, in Chinese, using a slip of paper Siu Ying gave me. The entire process up till now had been completed in
Cantonese, and I was given a number for the queue.

On my 2 previous occasions I had been here just after 8 A.M., and the place was empty. This time it was 10.30, and the large hall was rammed. I got to see one of the two Police checking forms, and I was done. He only spoke Mandarin, not
one single word of Cantonese; so my practicing of 'Passy-port' and 'veeza' in Cantonese were soon forlorn hopes cast adrift upon a wave of good intentions. However, his English was excellent!

Documents required:
1. All the photocopies listed above (10).
2. The official printed photograph receipt, must not be more than 1-month old.
3. 1 copy of the full Medical Report.
4. Original copy of your Certificate of Temporary Residence (Best you have a photocopy of this for the interim).
5. Your passport. From memory, I think this must have 18-months left on it as minimum (For a 1-year visa).

The original documents were quickly and professionally checked against the originals, and I was told to come back in one week's time.

Last thing to complete the process, is to pay the bill. Y800 RMB handed over to the cashier, and I am away.

Now my only proof of identity lies with the visa application receipt, the payment application receipt, and the copy I made of my Temporary Residence Certificate (Now technically cancelled). Not the time to go travelling to strange new parts.

Return Family Book

7th August: I returned to The Village and handed my mother-in-law the Family Book back. The travelling is around 1-hour each way, but it is always good family time.

Collect new visa

12th August, and an event that has not occurred yet. If my last times are repeated, then I simply turn up with receipt, join the queue, and receive my new 1-year Residency visa (Restriction: I am not allowed to work in China. With a full
Residency Visa I am). It will be a multi-entry visa with no length of stay restrictions, apart from the life of the visa itself.

So there you are: this is what I actually had to do. I hope it helps you personally, but remember, your City-County may have slightly differing criteria and timescale's.

But of course, things did not go quite as smoothly as depicted above. If you want to read about what really happened, then I am writing a funny missive about it now, which should be posted *In the AM*.

Jonno

This information is now complete, as China Expats Director, Jonno, has received his 2012 visa.

Note:
When your application is processed, your current visa
is automatically cancelled as of that moment. This also
means your Certificate of Temporary Residence (CTR)
is also cancelled forthwith. They also retain your passport
of course, which means that your only proof of identity
lies with the two receipts as shown directly above!

We strongly advise you to take quality colour photocopies
of your important passport pages including 'current
visa', and CTR. We would suggest that you also copy
the receipts and keep the copies with you at all times.
Local Police will be aware of your situation, but this
does not apply outside your local region of application.

Comparison to a full Residency (D) visa
A Residency or 'D' visa usually lasts for either 5 or
10 years, but has severe restrictions before application
may begin (5 years living in China, concurrent with:
5 years married and living with a Chinese National spouse
+ other criteria).

The Family Visit Visa crosses these boundaries, but
offers shorter term stay, and not full privileges. For
example: Holders of a FV visa are not allowed to work
in China. Full D visa holders are allowed to work.

However, the marriage and stay requirements have been
waived, thus just so long as you are married to a Chinese
National, and she is living in China + have next of
kin family sponsor (eg. Wife) - appears to be all that
is required.

Source
The above came from a news article published in China
Daily, as rendered below:

The new Family Visit Visa applies to Foreigners
and Overseas Chinese, with special exceptions for those
aged over 60. The full text from China Daily is reproduced
below:

Multiple entries, exits
set to help foreigners with close kin in China

BEIJING - Starting next month, foreigners who have
close relatives in China will be able to apply for
residence permits that are valid for up to two years,
the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

Residence permits do not have limits on the number of
entries and exits, which will "greatly facilitate
the travel of foreigners", a ministry official
told China Daily. Currently, foreigners who come to
China to visit family members should apply for an "L
visa", which is valid for up to one year. Under
existing rules, the visa has limits on the frequency
of entries and exits. But with more foreigners visiting
their close relatives in China, the ministry has decided
to grant residence permits to them to make their travel
more convenient, said an official surnamed Jia with
the ministry's exit and entry administration bureau.

The new rule stipulates that if foreigners need to
stay in China for more than six months, they can apply
for residence permits that are valid for one or two
years if they fall under the following five categories:

* Foreign spouses, parents, and children under 18
of Chinese citizens or foreigners who have permanent
residence status in China.

* Foreigners older than 60, and their spouses, who
do not have immediate family abroad and come to China
to live with their immediate family. The immediate
family members in China can be Chinese citizens or
foreigners who have permanent residence status in
China.

*Overseas Chinese aged above 60 who have bought houses
in China, and their foreign spouses and children aged
below 18.

*Overseas Chinese older than 18 who come to China
to take care of their Chinese parents, who have reached
60 and do not have any children in China.

*Foreign children under 18 being taken care of in
China and whose parents are overseas Chinese or Chinese
citizens who hold permanent residence permits in other
countries.

Under the new rule, the validity of the residence permit
can also be extended when it expires. The full text
of the rule is posted on the ministry's website at www.mps.gov.cnNote: This links to
a Chinese language page which we presume to be current.
There is an English language option that only has news
snippets from 2005 and 2006.

Jia said that currently, foreigners under the five categories
all need to apply for an "L visa". Under the
existing rules, residence permits are only granted to
foreigners who come to study and work in China. More
than 400,000 foreigners have gained residence permits
in China, official figures showed.

Yuan Shuping, a Beijinger who married a German 10
years ago, said on Thursday that she has been looking
forward to such measures for a long time.

"My husband's family members come to China to visit
us every year and every time they need to apply for
L visas that allow a single entry, which is troublesome,"
she said. "I am very delighted to see that my husband's
relatives will be able to apply for residence permits
since he already got permanent residence in 2006,"
she said. "I'm sure they will come to see us more
often in future." China Daily

Reproduced with thanks under Collective
Commons 3 licence

Whilst the new rules are now law, it appears the Public
Security Bureau headquarters in Beijing has only issued
guidelines. This in turn means that each First Class
City (Like a County) will adopt its own criteria for
implementation within its own region. Therefore we expect
this to be a simple formality in some areas, and a bit
of a nightmare in others!

We are also very interested to hear from others who
apply for this new visa.

This information is as supplied by China Expats and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (PSB) as dated 7th August 2012; and supported by China Daily newspaper, and/or other reliable sources. Please check this information yourself as
it may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide only